November 16, 2024
Rt. Rev. Dr. Anton Wyman Croos, the Bishop of the Diocese of Ratnapura has made the following appointments on the 10th of November 2024:
October 6, 2024
The 100th Jubilee celebration of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Convent, Ratnapura was celebrated under the patronage of the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Brian Udaigwe on the 1st of October 2024
July 25, 2024
It is with deep sorrow we announce the death of Rev. Bro. Vinoth Ashan Fernando of the diocese of Ratnapura.
June 18, 2024
The presbyterium of the diocese of Ratnapura bid farewell to our Bishop Emeritus Cletus C Perera on the 18th of June 2024 at the Bishop's House, Madola, Avissawella.
June 7, 2024
A new Basketball court was blessed and opened by our new Shepherd Bishop Anton Wyman Croos at Bishop's House, Madola, Avissawella on the 7th of June 2024.
June 1, 2024
The Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Wyman Croos was held on the 1st of June 2024 at the premises of Bishop's House Madola, Avissawella
May 18, 2024
The Episcopal Ordination and the installation of the Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Ratnapura, Msgr. P. Anton Wyman Croos will be held on the 1st of June 2024 at 09:30 am at the premise of the Bishop&
May 10, 2024
Rev. Deacon Akalanka Gimhana Peiris was ordained a priest on the 20th of April 2024 at St. Mary's Church, Grand Street, Negombo by our loving Shepherd Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera.
March 19, 2024
Welcoming of Msgr. P. Anton Wyman Croos, Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Ratnapura to the Presbyteral Family.
March 19, 2024
The Episcopal Ordination of the Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Ratnapura, Msgr. P. Anton Wyman Croos will be held on the 1st of June 2024
March 5, 2024
The Holy Father has appointed Rev. Fr. P. Antony Wyman Croos as bishop of the diocese of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka
November 28, 2023
The Annual Retreat for the priests in the diocese of Ratnapura was held from the 19th to the 24th of November 2023 at St. John Mary Vianney Clergy House, Buluthota.
November 11, 2023
Ad Limina Visit of our beloved Bishop Cletus together with the Bishops' conference of Sri Lanka 2023.
September 30, 2023
Rev. Bro. Akalanka Gimhana was ordained a Deacon by our loving Shepherd Bishop Cletus C. Perera on the 28th of September 2023 at 10:00 am at the Bishop’s House Chapel, Avissawella
September 24, 2023
The Convocation Ceremony of the first batch of students of "Yathra" Catholic Institute of Education was held under the patronage of our loving shepherd Bishop Cletus C. Perera on the 09th of
September 24, 2023
Ordination to the Diaconate - Diocese of Ratnapura 2023. Rev. Bro. Akalanka Gimhana will be ordained a Deacon by our loving Shepherd Bishop Cletus C. Perera on the 28th of September 2023 at 10:00 am
September 6, 2023
The Convocation Ceremony of the 2023 Batch of Ratnapura Diocesan English Academy was held under the patronage of our loving Shepherd Bishop Cletus C. Perera on the 06th of September 2023
August 8, 2023
On the 5th of August 2023, we, the Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Ratnapura, thanked and praised God for the 50 years of faithful priestly life of our beloved Bishop Cletus C.
August 4, 2023
The Diocese of Ratnapura is celebrating the 50th Priestly Ordination anniversary of our Chief Shepherd His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus Chandrasiri Perra OSB
June 2, 2023
Chrism Mass 2023- Diocese of Ratnapura. The Chrism Mass was celebrated by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus Chandrasiri Perera on the 3rd of April 2023 at St. Joseph Vaz Bihop's House Chapel,
November 22, 2024
Death Anniversary of Late Rev. Fr. Jacob Fernando SJ
November 24, 2024
Feast of Christ the King
November 26, 2024
Birthday of Fr. Tensin
December 1, 2024
First Sunday of Advent
December 8, 2024
Second Sunday of Advent
December 10, 2024
Birthday of Fr. Dudley
December 10, 2024
Death Anniversary of Late Rev. Fr. Ranjith Silva
December 14, 2024
Pre-Cana classes will be held at St. Mary's Church, Kegalle
December 15, 2024
Birthday of Fr. Dileepa
December 15, 2024
Third Sunday of Advent
December 21, 2024
Priestly Ordination Anniversary of Frs. Dudley and Christopher
December 22, 2024
Priestly Ordination Anniversary of Fr. Emil
December 22, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 27, 2024
Birthday of Fr. Maria Joy
December 29, 2024
Priestly Ordination Anniversary of Fr. Jinto, RCJ
December 30, 2024
Priestly Ordination Anniversary of Fr. Vincent, CR
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ratnapura was established as an autonomous Diocese on the 2nd November 1995 by Pope John Paul II, (now St John Paul II).
It was carved out of the Diocese of Galle. Rt Rev Mgr. Albert Malcolm Ranjith, (now Cardinal Archbishop of Colombo) was appointed as its first Bishop and was installed on the 5th January 1996.
The Diocese of Ratnapura covers the entire Province of Sabaragamuwa, which comprises two administrative districts, namely Ratnapura and Kegalle. The capital city of the Province is Ratnapura.
Rt Rev Mgr. Malcolm Ranjith served the Diocese as its 1st Local Ordinary from the 5th January 1996 to the 01st October 2001. Mgr. Malcolm Ranjith was transferred to Propaganda Fide in Rome on the 1st October 2001, entrusted with higher responsibility.
The See of Ratnapura thus remained vacant for 1 year and 5 months, until Rt. Rev. Mgr Harold Anthony Perera was appointed as its 2nd Bishop by Pope John Paul II on 29th January 2003. He was consecrated in St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Colombo on the 18th March 2003 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith and he was installed on the 22nd March 2003 at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral Ratnapura. Then he was transferred to the vacant See of Galle on the 18th March 2005.
Then, Rev. Fr. Ivan Tilak Jayasundera of Kandy Diocese was appointed as the Bishop of the diocese of Ratnapura on 20th January 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI. But before his consecration as Bishop, he resigned on 6th July 2006. Thus he remained as only the Bishop-elect for the Diocese of Ratnapura.
Thus Rt. Rev. Mgr. Cletus Chandrasiri Perera OSB was appointed as its 3rd Bishop on 4th May 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI. He was consecrated in the Basilica of the 12 Apostles in Rome on the 11th July 2007 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Vianney Fernando, and was installed on the 28th July 2007 at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Cathedral Ratnapura.
That the Local Church of the Diocese of Ratnapura (Province of Sabaragamuwa), be a Catholic community that nurtures the faith and the gifts of one another, enabling all of them to become effective, spirit-filled and fervent disciples of Jesus Christ, who have discerned and are committed to living out their God-given mission in life.
- To have a living and growing love relationship with God and with one another.
- To be more knowledgeable about their faith, the Word of God, the Sacraments, moral teachings and the history of the Church.
- To lead all the Catholics to understand what their charisms and responsibilities are
- To direct them to use those charisms and responsibilities effectively in the fulfillment of their vocation, in the proclamation of the kingdom of God and for the benefit of the people of the Province of Sabaragamuwa